Old Santa Rosa Airport

The airport was closed and decommissioned following the inauguration of its replacement, the new and modern Aeropuerto Regional de Santa Rosa (IATA: ETR, ICAO: SERA). The primary reasons for the replacement were: 1) The old airport was located within the expanding urban area of Santa Rosa, posing safety risks and limiting city growth. 2) Its infrastructure, including a relatively short runway and small terminal, was inadequate for larger, modern aircraft and growing passenger and cargo demand for the El Oro province.

The site of the former airport has been completely redeveloped and integrated into the urban fabric of Santa Rosa. The airport infrastructure, including the runway and terminal, has been removed. The land is now used for major civic projects, most notably the 'Terminal Terrestre Binacional Santa Rosa,' the city's main bus terminal. The area also includes parks (such as the 'Parque Infantil La Avión,' named in reference to the site's past), residential housing, and other commercial and municipal buildings. The former runway's path is still partially visible as a wide avenue.

The Old Santa Rosa Airport, officially known as Aeropuerto Coronel Artidoro Acosta, was the primary air transportation hub for the city of Santa Rosa and the surrounding El Oro province for several decades. It handled domestic passenger and cargo flights, connecting the region primarily with Ecuador's major cities, Quito and Guayaquil. It was a vital link for the province's significant agricultural industry, particularly the export of bananas and shrimp. Airlines such as the former national carrier TAME operated regular flights from this location, making it a key piece of regional infrastructure before it was superseded.

None. There are no plans or prospects for reopening the old airport. The land has been permanently and completely repurposed for urban development. All air traffic is now handled by the new Aeropuerto Regional de Santa Rosa, which is located safely outside the city and features modern, superior facilities.